Emergency Help For Gaza’s Vital Working Animals

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is funding over US$10,000 of veterinary supplies to assist local animal aid groups as they respond to the Gaza conflict's brutal effects on working and companion animals.

In Gaza, where fuel is scarce, people rely on donkeys and horses – they are the primary means of transport and are also used for moving goods. These working animals provide the backbone to many local residents' livelihoods. Before the current conflict, which began on December 27, the health and wellbeing of these hard-working animals enabled the people of Gaza to carry out their necessary daily activities; activities they will need to return to as soon as possible. Although information is hard to gather, pictorial evidence and reports from Gaza show donkeys and horses have been killed by shrapnel and are suffering from burns. Those that have survived are in desperate need of veterinary care. Media and humanitarian reports from inside Gaza indicate the use of white-phosphorous by Israeli forces, a substance banned under international law because it causes horrifying burns. {sidebar id=3}Local Animal Aid agencies have identified veterinary care as the most immediate need for local animals. Some feed will also be delivered. WSPA's funding will enable the aid groups to purchase urgently need medical supplies for wounded horses and donkeys. While WSPA currently believe the primary animal welfare needs to be the treatment of working animals, vets working with the groups will also administer first aid to injured dogs and cats that are presented to them.